Utah Forests

Working with three national forests to restore species and ecosystems

The Dixie, Fishlake, and Manti-La Sal National Forests – 4.5 million acres of key habitat from lowlands to alpine peaks – are subject to livestock grazing, fire suppression, logging, mining, and heavy motorized use. While we work on the ground measuring ecological conditions with volunteers and the Forest Service, we are also active in meeting rooms with diverse stakeholders solving problems of severe degradation. We aim for clean water; ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change; and restoration of native plant and wildlife species.

Utah Forests - Solving Complex Problems

Mary O’Brien

Solving complex problems with science, sense, and strategy

Why is old growth forest so rare? Can degraded sagebrush communities still support sage grouse? Most forest management problems didn’t start yesterday and won’t be solved next week. We develop serious proposals for nearly every project and planning process undertaken by the Forest Service, and work strategically toward their adoption – with surprisingly frequent success. Read More ›

Utah Forests - Bringing beavers back home

Steve Hersey

Bringing beavers back home

After assisting with the development of a Utah beaver management plan, we are working with national forest and state wildlife staff to bring beaver back to historic habitat. While we celebrate the return of this animal with an annual beaver festival, we are mapping new places where beaver could be restored.

Utah Forests - Bearing witness to problems and offering solutions

Mary O’Brien

Bearing witness to problems and offering solutions

With volunteers and partners, we gather site-specific measurements, combine them with photos to provide solid evidence for improved management, and offer feasible solutions. For instance, our method of efficiently documenting browsing of cottonwood, aspen, and willow sprouts has led to two aspen collaborations, and use of our method in forest monitoring. Our field visits and photos have successfully challenged a practice of renewing ten-year grazing permits without public input. Become a Volunteer ›

Utah Forests - GSENM

Ellen Heyn

Building a Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument grazing plan

Nineteen years after establishment, more than 95 percent of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is used by cattle, yet there is still no grazing plan. Now that the Monument is developing a plan, we are measuring problems on the ground and proposing a comprehensive alternative... Read More ›

Utah Forests - WMCCA

An ecological point of reference

On Elk Ridge in southeastern Utah, a unique opportunity has arisen. With cooperation between the Forest Service, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Trust, the 28,000-acre White Mesa Cultural and Conservation Area will be closed to livestock at least through 2022. This is the only allotment on the forest (out of 302) with no grazing. Read More ›

Utah Forests - Our Role

Our Role

Every day we partner with volunteers, scientists, federal land managers, and local residents to improve management of these forests. We gather scientific data on land conditions and translate field science into sustainable solutions. Then we submit strategic management proposals to the Forest Service, work to ensure these proposals are adopted as policy, and train citizens to continue working with the agency to implement these policies on the ground.

Our Solutions Title

Our Solutions

Utah Forests - Our Solutions

Restore ecosystems

We are changing the course of land management on these forests by proposing alternatives to unsustainable logging, mining, motorized travel, and vegetation treatment and grazing projects. We offer reasonable solutions that protect these forests and all who depend on them.

Restore beaver

Raising creek beds, reducing the force of floods, creating habitat for native fish and wildlife- beaver are master engineers who change the way water flows on these forests. We are working on behalf of these keystone animals, encouraging restoration of their populations so they can help restore the land.

Engage citizens

Organizing hundreds of volunteers for thousands of hours of data collection, measurements, and photos, we help the Forest Service acknowledge management problems and improve land management. These projects inspire citizens to stay involved and contribute to a healthy future for our forests.